Sophomore guard believes ‘Black History Month should be every month’

Peter Holland, Jr. // Staff Writer

Birmingham was the equivalent of the civil rights struggle for African Americans going back to the 1950s and ‘60s, from the injustices of segregation and senseless violence from the city’s authorities to the incarceration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sophomore point guard of the women’s basketball team and Birmingham native Kristian Hudson praised people like Dr. King and others who sacrificed their lives for better opportunities for the future.

“I believe Black History Month should be every month, you probably heard that before,” she said. “I’m thankful for all the things Dr. Martin Luther King did just by his sacrifices and other people that paved the way just so we have equal rights and equal opportunities.”

Despite Hudson, not knowing specifically about her family heritage, she does believe her ancestors were somewhat involved during the civil rights era in her home town, and this motivates her as a student athlete coming from a historic city.

“I think my people have to have some type of strong roots or something. They are very good people,” she said. “They had to fight and get through some things, and they’re strong and encouraging all the time.”

On Jan. 21, the Panthers were on the road to face University of Alabama at Birmingham, which was a homecoming game for the starting sophomore. She finished the game with 19 points in their lost to the Trailblazers.

Even though Hudson is enjoying her new life playing for FIU, she recognizes her Alabama bloodline and will never forget where she came from.

“Just being from Birmingham, I just think that I have a sense of pride in who I am as an African American. And I’m just thankful just because it didn’t have to be that way and it didn’t have to end kind of the way it is now.”

The Panthers, at 4-14 (2-5 C-USA) will end their 3-game road trip at Boca Raton as they face Florida Atlantic University on Jan.26 at 7 p.m.